In the time of Counter-Reformation, a miller and his son come under investigation by a priest of the Inquisition, when rumors spread that their prosperity comes from working with the Devil.
The Devil's Trap is a film directed by František Vlá?il, based on a novel by Alfréd Technik, adapted by František A. Dvorák and Miloš Kratochvíl. It was the first of three historical dramas that Vlá?il made during the Czech New Wave (technically he isn't really a part of the New Wave, however these films were made during the same era of artistic freedom), preceding his more well known Marketa Lazarová (1967) and Valley of the Bees (1968).
Set in the late 16th Century during the Catholic Reformation, in the Moravian Karst, situated in what is now the Eastern Czech Republic, it tells the tale of a miller (Vítezslav Vejrazka), and his son Jan (Vít Olmer), who come under suspicion and are investigated by a Jesuit priest of the Inquisition (Miroslav Macháchek), when rumors of witchcraft are spread by the local regent (Cestmír Randa), who is jealous of the miller's prosperity and degree of respect among the local populace.
As expected from Vlá?il, this film is a stunning experience all the way through. From the opening shot, an ominous manipulation of perspective with a close up of a mangled figure of Christ dominating the foreground against a tiny figure in black walking along the horizon, to the breathtaking confrontational finale inside the vast stalactite filled Karst caverns, it is a wonderful display of visual mastery.
Maybe not quite as impressive as Marketa Lazarová, but still full of astonishing imagery. As seen from unique angles and distinct points of view which highlight the director's remarkable sense of awareness of framing, motion, and positioning on the emotional and dramatic tone of the scene. The most memorable being a repeated shot where the camera is suspended and launched with speed through the air towards the miller's door.
The story here is a simple one and I would say more accessible than his later works. With a conventional structure emphasized as much by its plot and characters, than by its expressionistic cinematography or authentic historical detail. The events play out without much surprise, and there is a strong underlying, almost supernatural, mysterious aspect that is left unresolved, in fact barely explored, which is slightly disappointing, but only because it's so fascinating that I wish there was more.
Acting is great all around. Particularly the villains: Miroslav Macháchek as the priest, casting a sinister and imposing shadow wherever he goes, and Cestmír Randa as the weasel like regent behind all the persecution. While Vít Olmer brings a charismatic leading man presence in his role as the miller's son Jan, in love with the lovely orphan girl Martina (Karla Chadimová), who becomes a dangerous object of rivalry between Jan and other young men of the village.
The film also features the evocative music of Zden?k Liška (perhaps the most prolific composer of the Czech New Wave). In this his second of eleven collaborations with Vlá?il, his compositions are used sparingly, but to great effect, complimenting but never overpowering a scene. The best example of which can be heard in an amazingly shot celebration and dance sequence at the end of the second act.
The Devil's Trap might not be a masterpiece, but it is still a strong effort, with a fascinating straightforward story and a glorious historical setting captured beautifully by Vlá?il's unmistakable visual prowess. A fine work that would also be the perfect starter plate to prepare yourself for the challenging feast of Marketa Lazarová or The Valley of the Bees. It even has an easy to digest running time. It's therefore puzzling why this gem remains largely overlooked and ignored.
以及，在罗生门的叙事结构之下，这场最后的决斗有着惊人的说服力、情感基础和戏剧张力。
ps：精良的制作瞬间梦回天国王朝…
拙劣、幼稚、浅薄的第三幕，令人发指。中世纪怎么拍能拍出花？好好学学范霍文的《冷血奇兵》吧。如果说雷公三十年前的《末路狂花》是走在时代前端的强音，那么这个第三幕就是跪舔当下的帮闲，谄媚而愚蠢！
顶级的剧本打磨，细节铺垫不同视角的不同表现，呆萌和大本的编剧能力还是依然在线
不同视角的故事，对于女性而言，她是父亲换取利益的工具，两个男人占有的物品，一场生死决斗，以她的生命作为代价，也不过是荣誉之争，不为真相，不为正义，只为炫耀。骑士精神的虚伪，极度讽刺。女性在中世纪完全不能算作是人，真实的故事让人感到特别振奋，因为在那样一个连同性都在压迫同性的年代里，她还能够坚持去捍卫权利。历史书宣扬的浪漫爱情故事，也不过是被粉饰的悲凉。结尾看似温馨，实质心冷。同一个故事的不同演绎，看得唏嘘。后半段的决斗看得人胆战心惊，完成度太好的历史作品，女主在众男神的围绕下，演技仍旧出众。爱了。
壮观的决斗画面，另外引起对中世纪司法制度的兴趣
雷老爷子近年来最好的一部作品，罗生门式的三段视角，将一件事铺陈至一个情绪的临界点，在最后的决斗时刻突然爆发，让人目不转睛。但整个事情本身很荒谬，判定女主是否有罪要靠一场决斗，而除了女主外，每个人经此都得到了自己想要的，这也是对女主有所共情的原因。今时不同往日，大部分人的思想已经有了很大的改变，但这样类似的情况却仍然存在，不得不让人反思女性所处的困境问题
试听艺术很有特色，但叙述视角跟叙述内容是分裂的，例如，男二要证明自己并非强奸犯，却偏偏讲述自己聚众淫乱等劣迹，女一要证明自己被强奸，却偏偏讲述自己夫妻生活不和谐、穿着暴露惹丈夫发怒等情节，不仅不合理，而且与主题无关。总之，这是个伪罗生门结构的故事，长达两个半小时，主题和内容却极其单薄简陋。评分虚高。
有明显的女性主义色彩，分别从三个人的角度讲述故事。女性被强奸一直都是没有办法证明，法律也对女性不公。
上帝造男造女，真相不重要。马特达蒙发型太丑了。
往往一个女人的子宫就决定了整个世界
雷老爷子近年来最好的一部作品，罗生门式的三段视角，将一件事铺陈至一个情绪的临界点，在最后的决斗时刻突然爆发，让人目不转睛。但整个事情本身很荒谬，判定女主是否有罪要靠一场决斗，而除了女主外，每个人经此都得到了自己想要的，这也是对女主有所共情的原因。今时不同往日，大部分人的思想已经有了很大的改变，但这样类似的情况却仍然存在，不得不让人反思女性所处的困境问题
很契合今天Metoo的1300s法国历史剧。强奸案罗生门，分别从丈夫、强奸犯和受害女性三个视角，一次次把事件重讲，其中犯罪片段出现了两次，运动影像某种程度真是暴力。女性作为丈夫的财产存在的时代，故事里的不公和恶意比比皆是。尤其怀胎六月的Marguerite在庭上被一群老男人质问被强奸时是否感到愉悦的场面，简直恐怖得触目惊心，还有女性对女性的恶意。两个主要男性角色也很“反英雄”，义胆忠肝的莽夫和长袖善舞的小人。不像当年《角斗士》很多“道理”靠台词说出来，这里的台词留给观众自己琢磨。
无法被证实的真相，每个人都是只看到自己选择看到的那一面，三个视角既相似又截然不同，细枝末节的处理非常棒。
2021上映剧情片的个人年度第二部五星，进入2021个人年度TOP3内已毫无疑问。标准三段式结构，三个人物的视觉推进。随着Margerite戏份的渐进加大，个性越来越鲜明，主题越来越清晰。没有一句台词强调性别来说教，却处处呈现了那个权力金钱及男性至上的时代烙印。社会华丽光鲜外表的裹挟下，充斥虚伪、无情、膨胀、肮脏的权欲。
四星半
看得我拳头太硬了！！！每个强奸犯说没有强奸的时候用的都是一套说辞，连信誓旦旦言之凿凿的誓言都是用相同的语调说的。一宗八百年前的强奸案，从受害者丈夫、强奸犯和受害者的三重角度叙述，却不像罗生门那样真相变化难辨，两个男人的颅内高潮和自我感动，对比女人遍体鳞伤后的刚毅坚持，很难不站队。
看得我拳头太硬了！！！每个强奸犯说没有强奸的时候用的都是一套说辞，连信誓旦旦言之凿凿的誓言都是用相同的语调说的。一宗八百年前的强奸案，从受害者丈夫、强奸犯和受害者的三重角度叙述，却不像罗生门那样真相变化难辨，两个男人的颅内高潮和自我感动，对比女人遍体鳞伤后的刚毅坚持，很难不站队。
不愧是雷德利斯科特，把历史吃女人的本质诠释入木三分。不过罗生门似乎没必要，丈夫-妻子的二元叙事就可以了。三个人中至少有一个人需要虚化，德赖弗不必有POV。最后的决斗太喜欢了，看得心惊肉跳。
印象中正经描绘中世纪生活的电影不多
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